Newsletter

Savannah native John Gant of Sand Gnats is SAL Pitcher of the Week

One day after John Gant twirled a one-hit shutout over the Lexington Legends, the South Atlantic League named the Savannah Sand Gnats right-hander the pitcher of the week on Monday.

Gant, a Savannah native, was five outs from a no-hitter in Game 1 of Sunday’s doubleheader. The Gnats went on to sweep the doubleheader, 5-0 and 3-1.

Gant was terrific Sunday, working his second seven-inning complete game shutout of 2014. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out eight to earn his 10th win of the season. He took the no-hitter into the sixth, when with one out, Lexington second baseman Carlos Garcia rolled a single through the right side of the infield. Gant was trying to throw the first no-hitter by the Savannah franchise since 1989.

Sand Gnats rained out

Savananh’s home game agains Lexington was postponed Monday night by rain and subsequent unsafe field conditions at Grayson Stadium. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader to be announced in Lexington, where the Gnats visit Whitaker Bank Ballpark for a series July 26-29.

Frye, Jackson are All-Sun Belt

NEW ORLEANS — Georgia Southern seniors Garrett Frye and Edwin Jackson were selected Monday to the Sun Belt Conference preseason second team. The preseason teams, voted on by league coaches and designated media members, feature second-team recognitions for the first time.

Frye, an offensive tackle from South Forsyth, has earned All-America honors in each of the last two years and has been a mainstay on the line, starting the last 25 games.

The Eagles ranked first in NCAA Division I in team rushing average in 2012 and ’13.

Linebacker Jackson joined the Eagles in 2011 as a walk-on and last year was the team’s top tackler (92). Starting in all 11 games, the Atlanta native posted a game-high 10 tackles in GSU’s win over host Florida.

Frye and Jackson will represent GSU for Sun Belt media day today at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Fans can submit questions via social media channels Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #SunBeltMediaDay.